Television receiver

ABSTRACT

An arrangement is provided whereby after purchasing a television receiver, when a power cord is plugged in an outlet and the power is turned on, the television receiver is automatically set on an automatic presetting mode, and various information is displayed by on screen display (OSD) during the operation and upon completion of the operation, thereby allowing a user to visually confirm the operating condition. To this end, when a power plug  17  is inserted, a power switch of a power supply circuit  16  is turned on, a broadcast channel of a station is detected by a synchronizing signal and an AFT voltage and is automatically preset in a nonvolatile memory. During the presetting, a message that a presetting function is operating and a message indicating an operating condition are displayed on a CRT  3 . Further, upon completion of all the presetting, a message on he completion of operation is displayed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a television receiver having a channeltuning system which is capable of automatically tuning a channel andstoring the tuning data in a nonvolatile memory.

BACKGROUND ART

The first thing that a user does after purchasing a television receiveris to store tuning data in a nonvolatile memory of a channel tuningsystem of the television receiver while searching channels which can bereceived after connecting the television receiver to an antenna.

With such a method, however, since after the user has tuned the channeltuning system to channels to be received, the tuning data is stored in amemory, it is necessary to perform this operation for each position atwhich the tuning data can be stored in the memory, so that it istroublesome. In addition, to perform such an operation afterunderstanding the procedure of the operation, there arises such aproblem that the operation must be carried out while referring to aninstruction manual on each such occasion.

Accordingly, there has been proposed a television receiver having afunction called automatic presetting which makes it possible to effectresetting automatically by operating a single switch. According to thistelevision receiver, the user is able to allow the tuning data to bestored in a nonvolatile memory automatically without doing anything.

Referring to the block diagram in FIG. 1 and the flowchart in FIG. 3, adescription will be given of this technique.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a tuner; 2, a video signalprocessing circuit; 3, a cathode ray tube (CRT); 4, a speech signalprocessing circuit; 5, a speaker; 6, a synchronous separation circuit;7, a deflection circuit; 8, a deflection yoke (hereafter referred to as“DY”); 9, a CPU; and 10, a nonvolatile memory for storing tuning dataand the like.

In addition, reference numeral 11 denotes a character generator forgenerating character signals; 12, a D/A conversion circuit forconverting the tuning data from the CPU 9 to a dc voltage; 13, aninfrared remote controller (hereafter referred to as the remotecontroller) for issuing various control commands; 14, aremote-controller light receiving portion for receiving infrared rays ofthe remote control signal from the remote controller 13; 15, a paneloperating portion provided on a panel portion of the televisionreceiver; 16, a power supply circuit for supplying power to each circuitof the television receiver; and 17, a power plug socket which isconnected to a commercial power source.

Next, referring to the flowchart in FIG. 3, a description will be givenof the operation of the above-described conventional televisionreceiver.

First, if an unillustrated switch for starting an automatic presettingmode is pressed by using the remote controller 13 or the panel operatingportion 15, the CPU 9 outputs tuning data corresponding to channel 1 (CH1) for the first time upon receiving the signal from the switch, andsupplies a tuning voltage from the D/A conversion circuit 12 to thetuner 1 (S10).

Then, when the synchronizing signal from the synchronous separationcircuit 6 and an AFT voltage from the video signal processing circuit 2are supplied to the CPU 9, the CPU 9 determines whether or not thatchannel is present on the basis of the presence or absence of eachsignal (S11). If that channel is present, a relevant signal is drawn into a tuning point by means of the synchronizing signal and the AFTvoltage (S12). If the relevant signal is drawn in to the tuning point,the data at that time is stored in the nonvolatile memory 10 as tuningdata (S13).

Subsequently, the tuning voltage is increased to proceed to an ensuingchannel. To do so, it suffices if an arrangement is provided in advancesuch that the voltage is increased by amounts each corresponding to aone-channel portion. Alternatively, a method may be adopted in which thetuning voltage is increased gradually and is raised continuously to apoint where the synchronizing signal is present (S14). If there is nochannel in the above-described step (S11), the operation proceedsdirectly to this step. Next, if the capacity for storing the tuning datain the nonvolatile memory 10 has been exceeded, the operation ends. Ifit has not been exceeded (S15), a determination is made as to whether ornot the present channel is an upper-limit channel, and if it is theupper-limit channel, the operation ends; whereas if it is not, theoperation returns to the step for determining the presence and absenceof the synchronizing signal and the AFT voltage (S16). The tuning datais automatically stored in the nonvolatile memory 10 through theabove-described operation.

However, even in the case of the television receiver equipped with suchan automatic presetting function, the user after having purchased thetelevision receiver must use the presetting function after perusing aninstruction manual and understanding the operation for putting thisfunction to work.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-describedaspects, and its object is to provide an arrangement whereby afterpurchasing a television receiver, when a power cord is plugged in anoutlet and the power is turned on, the television receiver isautomatically set on an automatic presetting mode, and variousinformation is displayed by on screen display (OSD) during the operationand upon completion of the operation, thereby allowing the user tovisually confirm the operating condition.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a televisionreceiver comprising: a tuner for receiving a television signal; memorymeans in which tuning data is stored in advance for each position; anoperating portion for a user to select a desired selected channel;controlling means for supplying tuning voltage to the tuner on the basisof the tuning data stored at a position in the memory meanscorresponding to the desired channel when that position is selected bythe operating portion; tuning-point detecting means for detecting atuning point on the basis of an output of the tuner; display means forconverting the output of the tuner to a video signal and displaying thesame; and a power supply circuit for supplying electric power from acommercial power source to various circuits,

wherein the controlling means detects whether or not the tuning data isnot stored in all the positions of the memory means, and upon detectingthat the power of the power supply circuit is turned on, the controllingmeans automatically causes presetting to be effected for each positionof the memory on the basis of an output of the tuning-point detectingmeans.

In addition, in accordance with the present invention, there is provideda television receiver comprising: a tuner for receiving a televisionsignal; memory means in which tuning data is stored in advance for eachposition; an operating portion for a user to select a desired selectedchannel; controlling means for supplying tuning voltage to the tuner onthe basis of the tuning data stored at a position in the memory meanscorresponding to the desired channel when that position is selected bythe operating portion; tuning-point detecting means for detecting atuning point on the basis of an output of the tuner; display means forconverting the output of the tuner to a video signal and displaying thesame; character generating means for outputting various characters tothe display means; and a power supply circuit for supplying electricpower from a commercial power source to various circuits,

wherein the controlling means detects whether or not the tuning data isnot stored in all the positions of the memory means, and upon detectingthat the power of the power supply circuit is turned on, the controllingmeans automatically causes presetting to be effected for each positionof the memory on the basis of an output of the tuning-point detectingmeans, and causes character information notifying that presetting isoperating to be outputted from the character generating means.

Further, in the television receiver in accordance with the presentinvention, the controlling means causes characters representing thatpresetting is operating to be generated from the character generatingmeans.

Furthermore, in the television receiver in accordance with the presentinvention, the controlling means causes character informationrepresenting completion of presetting to be generated from the charactergenerating means after the completion of presetting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the automatic presetting operation;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of clearing the automaticpresetting in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are diagrams illustrating examples of display inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating other messages in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart in accordance with still another embodiment of thepresent invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, a description will be given of theembodiments.

Since the block diagram in the embodiments of the present invention isidentical to that of the conventional art, a description of theconfiguration of the hardware will be omitted. The difference with theconventional art lies in the operation of a CPU 9, and a descriptionwill be given of the operation with reference to the flowchart in FIG.2.

First, after purchasing a television receiver, the user plugs a powercord in an outlet (S1), and a determination is then made as to whetheror not a specific switch (disposed on a panel operating portion) hasbeen pressed continuously for five seconds (S2), and if it has beenpressed, a nonvolatile memory 10 is reset (S9). The reason for providingthe function of resetting the nonvolatile memory 10 is that since thepower is turned on for adjustment and the like at the time of shipmentfrom a factory, at that time the automatic presetting function has beenoperated and undesirable data has been written in the memory, so thatthe undesirable preset data is deleted by the time of shipment from thefactory.

Meanwhile, if it is determined in Step 2 that the specific switch hasnot been pressed continuously for five seconds (S2), a determination isthen made as to whether or not the automatic presetting has already beeneffected after purchasing the television receiver (S3). The operation ofthis determination is carried out by determining whether theplug-and-play bit of the nonvolatile memory 10 is “1” or “0” (S3). Thisplug-and-play bit refers to such a bit that “1” is stored in thenonvolatile memory 10 in the case where the automatic presetting hasalready been effected (when the automatic presetting function has beenoperated in an initial state), whereas “0” is stored in the nonvolatilememory 10 in the case where the automatic presetting has not beeneffected.

Subsequently, if the user turns on the power switch (S4), “Welcome TEXT”is displayed on a CRT 3 from a character generator 11. In this display,for example, a message of gratitude to the user for purchasing as wellas a message that automatic presetting is operating are displayed (S5),as shown in the part (A) of FIG. 5.

Further, when automatic presetting starts, characters “AUTO” indicatingthat automatic presetting is operating, a bar display indicating thestate of adjustment, a present preset position “1,” a band “VL,” and abroadcast system such as “S-1: PAL BG system,” “S-2: PAL I system,” and“S-3: France SECAM” are displayed (S6). Consequently, the user is ableto recognize the fact of the automatic presetting being in operation andthe state of its operation. In addition, an arrangement is provided suchthat when execution of automatic presetting is started, theplug-and-play bit is set at “0,” and this bit is rewritten to “1” onlywhen the presence of a station is found.

Further, even if the power is turned on without connecting the antenna,the presence of a station cannot be determined, so that theplug-and-play bit remains “0.” Therefore, if the power is turned on on anext occasion, the automatic presetting operation is effected, so thatthe user is able to understand that the antenna is not connected.Further, when the television receiver is moved such as at the time ofhouse-moving, if the automatic presetting is executed without connectingthe antenna, the bit is set at “0,” and thus returns to the initialstate.

Incidentally, since television receives in such as Europe are adapted tobe able to receive programs in correspondence with various countries, itis necessary to have the contents of messages displayed correspond tothe various countries. Accordingly, it suffices if the message in thepart (A) of FIG. 5, for example, is changed in the stated order ofEnglish, German, French and English. The language of the message isrepeatedly changed for each five seconds. The contents of this messagemay be such as those shown in FIG. 6.

Then, when automatic presetting is completed (S7), Ending TEXT isdisplayed in all the three languages (S8), as shown in the part (B) ofFIG. 5. This allows the user to visually confirm that automaticpresetting is completed. Incidentally, this display is canceled if aswitch on either a remote controller 13 or a panel operating portion 15is pressed. If the display is canceled, the screen returns to a normaltelevision receiving screen.

Such messages may be displayed in English only when it is known inadvance that the television receivers are sold only in Great Britain.

It should be noted that such an operation is performed only once whenthe power is turned on after the user purchased the television receiver,so that the same operation cannot be performed again. Accordingly, anarrangement is provided such that the automatic presetting operation canbe performed again in the following manner.

Namely, in FIG. 4, the automatic presetting switch on the remotecontroller 13 or the panel operating portion 15 is turned on (S17).After the automatic presetting switch is turned on, if the automaticpresetting mode is canceled by a predetermined operation during apredetermined period (e.g., five seconds) before starting the automaticpresetting operation (S18), the nonvolatile memory 10 is reset to clearthe tuning data (S19). The television receiver can be thereby set in thestate of shipment from the factory. In addition, after the automaticpresetting switch is turned on, if the automatic presetting mode is notcancelled during the predetermined period (e.g., five seconds) beforestarting the automatic presetting operation (S18), automatic presettingis started to perform again the operation of effecting the presetting,rewriting the contents of presetting (S20).

Incidentally, in the event that a situation has arisen in which thetelevision receiver must be modified after shipment from the factory,the plug-and-play function operates during application of power at thetime of the modification, so that undesirable preset data is stored. Forthis reason, after the modification, operation is required for resettingthe nonvolatile memory by effecting the operation of pressing aparticular switch continuously for five seconds-in the operation in Step2. Accordingly, in an ensuing embodiment an arrangement is provided notto cause the plug-and-play operation does not occur when the power isturned on at the time of the above-described modification after shipmentfrom the factory.

Namely, the point of difference in the operation of the CPU in FIG. 7from the operation in FIG. 2 lies in that after the power switch isturned on (S4), if it is determined that an arbitrary remote controllerkey has been pressed during a predetermined period (e.g., five seconds)(S10), the automatic presetting operation is not performed, and thenormal power-on operation is effected in Step 14, whereas after thepower switch is turned on (S4), if it is determined that the arbitraryremote controller key has not been pressed during the predeterminedperiod (e.g., five seconds) (S10), presetting is performed by theplug-and-play operation. Accordingly, at the time of modification itsuffices if the remote controller is pressed in Step 10. Incidentally,an arrangement is provided in this embodiment such that if theparticular switch has been pressed continuously for five seconds in Step2, the nonvolatile memory is reset (S9), and when the power switch isturned on (S11), the television receiver is set in the normal power-onstate (S12).

In addition, as still another embodiment, a factory mode bit may beprovided in the memory, and an arrangement is provided such that whenthe television receivers are flowing in an in-plant line, the factorymode bit is set at “1” to indicate that the mode is the factory mode,while after the shipment the factory mode bit is set at “0.” Further, astep for determining the state of the factory mode bit is providedbetween Step 10 and Step 5, and if the factory mode bit is “1,” thenormal power-on operation is effected (S12), whereas if the factory modebit is “0,” the plug-and-play operation is effected. Thus, when repairis made at the factory, it is possible to apply power to the televisionreceiver without effecting the automatic presetting operation.

As described above, in accordance with the present invention, since thetuning data can be automatically stored in the nonvolatile memory as theuser who purchased the television receiver inserts a power cord in anoutlet and merely turns on the power switch, the troublesome operationof the presetting operation is made unnecessary.

In addition, when the automatic presetting operation is started, thestate of operation is displayed on the CRT to the effect that theautomatic presetting function is operating, so that there isadvantageous in that the user is able to visually confirm the state ofoperation.

Furthermore, the arrangement provided is such that detection is made asto whether or not the tuning data is not stored in all the positions inthe memory means, detection is made as to whether or not the operatingmeans has been operated during a fixed period after detection of theturning on of the power of the power supply circuit, and if theoperation of the operating means is not detected, presetting isautomatically effected for each position in the memory on the basis ofan output of the tuning-point detection means, whereas if the operationof the operating means is detected, the normal power-on operation whichdoes not accompany the presetting operation is effected. Accordingly, atthe time of modifying the television receiver after shipment from thefactory, power can be applied to the television receiver formodification without causing undesirable preset data to be stored.

In addition, since the memory is provided with the bit fordiscriminating whether or not the television receiver is in the factorymode, if an arrangement is provided such that the operation proceeds tothe normal power-on state by discriminating this bit, when making repairat the factory, power can be applied to the television receiver withoutcausing the automatic presetting function to operate.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is suitable for use in a channel tuning system ofa television receiver.

What is claimed is:
 1. A television receiver comprising: a tuner for receiving a television signal; memory means in which tuning data is stored in advance for each position; an operating portion for a user to select a desired selected channel; controlling means for supplying tuning voltage to said tuner on the basis of the tuning data stored at a position in said memory means corresponding to the desired channel when that position is selected by said operating portion; tuning-point detecting means for detecting a tuning point on the basis of an output of said tuner; display means for converting the output of said tuner to a video signal and displaying the same; and a power supply circuit for supplying electric power from a commercial power source to various circuits, wherein said controlling means detects whether or not the tuning data is not stored in all the positions of said memory means, and upon detecting that the power of said power supply circuit is turned on, said controlling means automatically causes presetting to be effected for each position of said memory on the basis of an output of said tuning-point detecting means.
 2. A television receiver comprising: a tuner for receiving a television signal; memory means in which tuning data is stored in advance for each position; an operating portion for a user to select a desired selected channel; controlling means for supplying tuning voltage to said tuner on the basis of the tuning data stored at a position in said memory means corresponding to the desired channel when that position is selected by said operating portion; tuning-point detecting means for detecting a tuning point on the basis of an output of said tuner; display means for converting the output of said tuner to a video signal and displaying the same; character generating means for outputting various characters to said display means; and a power supply circuit for supplying electric power from a commercial power source to various circuits, wherein said controlling means detects whether or not the tuning data is not stored in all the positions of said memory means, and upon detecting that the power of said power supply circuit is turned on, said controlling means automatically causes presetting to be effected for each position of said memory on the basis of an output of said tuning-point detecting means, and causes said character generating means to output characters that provide notice that presetting is operating.
 3. The television receiver according to claim 2, wherein said controlling means causes character information representing completion of presetting to be generated from said character generating means after the completion of presetting.
 4. A television receiver comprising: a tuner for receiving a television signal; memory means in which tuning data is stored in advance for each position; an operating portion for a user to select a desired selected channel; controlling means for supplying tuning voltage to said tuner on the basis of the tuning data stored at a position in said memory means corresponding to the desired channel when that position is selected by said operating portion; tuning-point detecting means for detecting a tuning point on the basis of an output of said tuner; display means for converting the output of said tuner to a video signal and displaying the same; and a power supply circuit for supplying electric power from a commercial power source to various circuits; wherein said controlling means detects whether or not the tuning data is not stored in all the positions of said memory means, and detects whether or not said operating means portion has been operated during a fixed period after detection of the turning on of the power of said power supply circuit, and if the operation of said operating portion is not detected, said controlling means causes presetting to be automatically effected for each position of said memory on the basis of an output of said tuning-point detecting means, whereas if the operation of said operating portion is detected, said controlling means causes a normal power-on operation which does not accompany the presetting operation to be effected.
 5. A television receiver comprising: a tuner for receiving a television signal; memory means in which tuning data is stored in advance for each position; an operating portion for a user to select a desired selected channel; controlling means for supplying tuning voltage to said tuner on the basis of the tuning data stored at a position in said memory means corresponding to the desired channel when that position is selected by said operating portion; tuning-point detecting means for detecting a tuning point on the basis of an output of said tuner; display means for converting the output of said tuner to a video signal and displaying the same; and a power supply circuit for supplying electric power from a commercial power source to various circuits; wherein said controlling means detects whether or not the tuning data is not stored in all the positions of said memory means, and detects whether or not said operating means portion has been operated during a fixed period after detection of the tuning on of the power of said power supply circuit, and if the operation of said operating portion is not detected, said controlling means causes presetting to be automatically effected for each position of said memory on the basis of an output of said tuning-point detecting means, whereas if the operation of said operating portion is detected, said controlling means causes a normal power-on operation which does not accompany the presetting operation to be effected wherein said memory is provided with a bit for discriminating whether said television receiver is in a factory mode, and the operation proceeds to a normal power-on state by discriminating the bit. 